Irenaeus of Lyons

Identifying Christianity

John Behr

Provides a comprehensive and positive treatment of the establishment of orthodoxy in the early Church

Examines the earliest methods of scriptural interpretation in the Christian tradition, how theological reflection develops out of this, and how scriptural interpretation and theological exposition fit together.

Seeks to present a complete picture of early Christian theology presented on its own terms (rather than later theological doctrine)

Irenaeus of Lyons

Identifying Christianity

John Behr

Description

This book provides a full, contextual study of St Irenaeus of Lyons, the first great theologian of the Christian tradition. John Behr sets Irenaeus both within his own context of the second century, a fundamental period for the formation of Christian identity, elaborating the distinction between orthodoxy and heresy and expounding a comprehensive theological vision, and also within our own contemporary context, in which these issues are very much alive again. Against the commonly-held position that 'orthodoxy' was established by excluding others, the 'heretics', Behr argues that it was the self-chosen separation of the heretics that provided the occasion for those who remained together to clarify the lineaments of their faith in a church that was catholic by virtue
of embracing different voices in a symphony of many voices and whose chief architect was Irenaeus, who, as befits his name, urged peace and toleration.The first chapter explores Irenaeus' background in Asia Minor, as a disciple of Polycarp of Smyrna, his activity in Gaul, and his involvement with the Christian communities in Rome. The theological and institutional significance of his interventions is made clear by tracing the coalescence of the initially fractionated communities in Rome into a united body over the first two centuries.The second chapter provides a full examination of Irenaeus' surviving writings, concentrating especially on the literary and rhetorical structure of his five books Against the Heresies, his 'refutation and overthrowal' of his opponents in the first
two books, and his establishing a framework for articulating orthodoxy.The final chapter explores the theological vision of Irenaeus itself, on its own terms rather than the categories of later dogmatic theology, grounded in an apostolic reading of Scripture and presenting a vibrant and vigorous account of the diachronic and synchronic economy or plan of God, seen through the work of Christ which reveals how the Hands of God have been at work from the beginning, fashioning the creature, made from mud and animated with a breath of life, into his own image and likeness, vivified by the Holy Spirit, to become a 'living human being, the glory of God'.

Irenaeus of Lyons

Identifying Christianity

John Behr

Table of Contents

Introduction1. Irenaeus of Lyons: Ambassador for Peace, Reconciliation, and TolerationVienne and LyonsThe Christian Communities at RomeIrenaeus and Florinus, Eleutherus and VictorPolycarp and IrenaeusThe Chronology of Irenaeus Life and Writings2. Against the HeresiesStructureRefutation and Overthrowal (haer. 1-2)3. The Glory of God (haer.3-5)The Concise WordThe Arc of the EconomyThe Work of GodThe Symphony of SalvationLiving Human Beings, The MartyrsConclusionBibliography

Irenaeus of Lyons

Identifying Christianity

John Behr

Author Information

Fr. John Behr is the Dean of St Vladimir's Seminary and Professor of Patristics, teaching courses in patristics, dogmatics and scriptural exegesis at the seminary, and also at Fordham University, where he is the Distinguished Lecturer in Patristics. Before becoming Dean in 2007, he served as the editor of St Vladimir's Theological Quarterly, and he still edits the Popular Patristics Series for SVS Press.His early work was on issues of asceticism and anthropology, focusing on St. Irenaeus of Lyons and Clement of Alexandria. After spending almost a decade in the second century, Fr John began the publication of a series on the Formation of Christian Theology, and has now reached the fifth and sixth centuries. He has recently completed an edition and translation of,
and introduction to, the remaining texts of Diodore of Tarsus and Theodore of Mopsuestia. He has also published a synthetic presentation of the theology of the early centuries, focused on the mystery of Christ.

Irenaeus of Lyons

Identifying Christianity

John Behr

Reviews and Awards

"...[I]n his usual lucid and succinct manner, B. organizes in a modest three chapters a volume that is profoundly researched and the product of mature thought about Irenaeus and his theological legacy. It thus admirably meets the series's goals to produce 'well-researched yet accessible books.'" --Theological Studies